Feeling her pull away shattered Halcyon's heart. Idrisa whined quietly, moving to stand behind her mother to escape the wrath that had befallen her father. The child was still confused about the situation and now, seeing her mother shouting at her father, the girl grew fearful. She wept large tears and tried to find comfort in her remaining brother as their mother lashed at the small male crouching before her. Hal, for his part, remained silent as he tucked his tail under his body and laid his ears flat as Aster screamed at him, all her fears and worries emerging in a rush of emotion. He didn't stop her, didn't say a word as her voice crept higher and higher in volume. Only when she had finished, did he open his mouth. Only to discover that no words came. Closing his mouth again, the ex-alpha stared at his paws like a child being scolded.

What could he say to make this better? To ensure her that their children were safe in the paws of a mad wolf hellbent on chaos? That burning rage returned from the depths of his stomach, threatening to come out in a stream of curses and rants at what remained of his broken family. Closing his eyes, he forced himself to calm before returning his gaze to his mate. The urge to apologize again danced on the tip of his tongue, but they were far past that. There was no need to explain why they had to leave Aspis and Archana behind. The image of that wolfess sinking her teeth into his eldest son's scruff still burned inside his mind. With a sigh, he allowed himself to feel the sense of loss, the sense of regret, and defeat. They came crashing through like a tidal wave and for the first time since he was a child, Halcyon, the son of the great Iblis, wept.

He felt no shame as the tears drained from his eyes to water the dark, green grass under his paws. In one fell swoop, both his children and his home had been taken from him. In time, everything would be taken from him if he didn't stop it. It wouldn't just stop with his missing cubs. He had failed to protect them, he wasn't going to fail with the rest of his family. The tears had served their purpose by reigniting his resolve. Looking up at Aster with his cheeks still wet, he set his lips to a determined line. "We can't go back. Not yet. Their guard will be up and you can bet they won't let the cubs out of their sight. They are too important for Blackthorne to kill, but if we test him, I have no doubt he will kill one of them as an example," he said, feeling the words sting as they left his mouth. The truth can be a cruel and unrelenting mistress.

A plan was forming in the wolf's mind and he stepped towards Aster. Once again, he pressed himself into her, rubbing his moist cheeks along her neck and blending their scents together. He understood her pain and did not hold it against her for lashing out at him. The love he felt for the black wolf would never allow him to be mad at her. She could do no wrong in his eyes and he hoped she felt the same. He was about to suggest something stupid and painful. Knowing his mate as he did, she was not going to handle the idea well. "Aster, do you trust me?" If he were her, he would have said no. What had he done to earn her trust? Halcyon was a failure, he knew that. He was also a father who would give anything, including his own life, to save his children.